Impatiens plant named ‘Snow &#39;n Ice’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Impatiens plant named ‘Snow &#39;n Ice’ characterized by having the distinct color pattern on its leaves which is characteristic of the varieties that make up the Summer Ice® Series of Double flowering Impatiens; and unique white double flower characteristic in combination with the distinct color pattern on its leaves.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Genus:Impatiens. Species: sultanii.

Variety denomination: ‘Snow 'n Ice’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofImpatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens sultanii, hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Snow 'n Ice’.

The new cultivar originated from a sport discovered in a cultivatedgarden in Buckinghamshire, UK. The parent is a white double floweringImpatiens sultanii. ‘Snow 'n Ice’ was discovered and selected by theinventor, Alastair Macaulay, as a flowering plant within the progeny inthe controlled environment of his garden.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by tip cuttings was firstperformed late 2000 in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproducestrue-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Snow 'n Ice’ which in combinationdistinguish this Impatiens as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Impatiens ‘Snow 'n Ice’ has the distinct color pattern on its leaveswhich is characteristic of the varieties that make up the Summer Ice®Series of Double flowering Impatiens; and

2. unique white double flower characteristic in combination with thedistinct color pattern on its leaves.

‘Snow 'n Ice’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, anddaylength without any change in the genotype of the plant. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Loudon, N.H. under conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to ‘Snow 'n Ice’ is cultivar ‘Pink Ice’. The plantgrowth habit, foliage appearance and leaf variegation is similar. Theflower color is distinctly different. Mature ‘Pink Ice’ flowers arepink, RHS 75B with darker 74 B throat and main color fading to RHS 75C;immature flowers are between RHS 74 D and RHS 75B. ‘Snow 'n Ice’ flowersare white, RHS 155 C.

In comparison to its parent, ‘Snow 'n Ice’ differs in that it hasdistinctly variegated foliage. The leaves of the parent plant have theshades of green common to Impatiens sultanii. The upper surface of themature leaves of ‘Snow 'n Ice’ are green with a silver sheen, RHS 188A,with a green center RHS 189A, and a white fringe, RHS 155B. ‘Snow 'nIce’ also differs in growth habit from its parent plant, takingapproximately 1 to 2 weeks longer to bloom, and having a slower growth,rate 2 to 3 weeks behind the parent plant due to the reduced amount ofchlorophyll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Impatiens showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type.

1. The first drawing shows a whole plant view of a flowering potted‘Snow 'n Ice’;

2. The second drawing shows a close-up view of the foliage andinflorescences of ‘Snow 'n Ice’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Loudon, N.H. under conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in commercial practice. The cultivarwas grown under commercial greenhouse conditions at a temperature of60-65 degree F. nights and 70-75 F. days. Color references are made toThe Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except wheregeneral colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values weretaken under daylight conditions at approximately 9 to 11 AM in Loudon,N.H. The age of the plant described is 9 months.

Propagation: stem cutting.

Plant:

General appearance and form.—Height: 7 inches in a 6 inch diameter pot;9 inches in a 16 inch diameter pot. Plant spread: 6-7 inches, dependingupon age and container size. Lateral branches: Average 4 inches inlength; average ⅛ inches in diameter. Internode length ½ inch to 1 inch.Color including anthocyanin color RHS 144B. Flowering Season: Year roundas grown in a greenhouse, best in spring. Winter hardiness: To USDA zone10. Lastingness of the Individual Bloom: Approximately 1 week. Rootinghabit: Fibrous root system. Time to initiate roots: 7 days at 21° C.year round. Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner: 3 weeks. Growthand branching habit: Mounded form with good branching. Slower growththan green leaved varieties. Crop time: 6 weeks for a 10 cm pot; 8-10weeks for larger pots. Fragrance: None.

Foliage:

Overall shape of leaf.—Ovate.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Base.—Cuneate.

Length.—¾ inch to 1 inch in a 6 inch pot; 1 inch to 1¼ inch in a 16 inchpot.

Width.—¾ inch maximum in a 6 inch pot; 1 inch maximum in a 16 inch pot.

Margin.—Slightly serrate.

Texture.—Smooth with some wrinkling, slightly waxy.

General color.—Foliage color is comprised of three colors or shades:green, green with a silver sheen, and a white margin which varies inwidth, all in varying percentages.

Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: Green with a silver sheen RHS 188A,green center RHS 189A. White fringe (up to 25% of total leaf area) RHS155B. Immature leaf: Green with a silver sheen RHS 188A, green centerRHS 147A. White fringe (up to 25% of total leaf area) RHS 158B.

Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: Green center RHS 148D. White fringeRHS 155B. Immature leaf: Green center RHS 191D. White fringe RHS 158B.

Venation color.—Upper surface: Same as leaf color. Lower surface: RHS146A.

Petiole.—Length: Highly variable dependant upon maturity, ranging from ⅛inch to 1 inch. Diameter: {fraction (1/32)} inch to {fraction (1/16)}inch. Color: Ranging from RHS 146A young to RSH 148C at maturity.Surface texture: Smooth, slightly waxy.

Inflorescence:

Flower type and habit.—Flowers start as a bud the shape of a round balland the size of a pea, and open similar to a rose in fullness. Theflowers open slightly above or even with the foliage. The flower isfully double.

Flower size.—1.25 to 2.0 inches.

Overall shape.—Dome shape.

Average number of flowers per lateral branch.—In bloom, 2; inclusive ofbuds, 4 to 5.

Petals.—Petal Number: Average 27-32. Petal Shape: Round to slightlyoblong with indentation in tip. Texture: Smooth. Petal size: Length ⅜inch to ⅝ inch; width ½ inch to ¾ inch. Petal Color: RHS 155C (bothsurfaces).

Sepals.—Sepal Number: 2 (1 with a spur). Sepal Shape: Rounded to ovate,acuminate to rounded apex; margin entire. Texture: Smooth. Sepal Size:Length ¼ inch to ⅜ inch; width ¼ inch to ½ inch.

Spur.—½ to ¾ in length; greenish-white in color RHS 157C.

Stem.—Average length: 2 inches in a 6 inch pot (pinched plants). Averagediameter: ¼ inch (pinched). Color: RHS 144A. Surface Texture: Smooth,slightly waxy. Internode length: Average ¼ inch, highly dependent onavailable light.

Bud.—Rate of opening: 5 days from a mature bud. Color of mature buds:Basically white RHS 155B (95% of bud), with a slight touch of green RHS145A (5% of bud). White color comes out as soon as bud cracks open.Color of immature buds: White RHS 155B (60% of bud), and green RHS 145A(40% of bud). Shape: Ovular with a flat base.

Length.—⅜ to ½ inch (mature bud).

Diameter.—¼ inch to ⅜ inch (mature bud).

Peduncles (pedicels).—½ to 1 inch in length at a 45° angle. Strength isweak.

Reproductive organs:

Stamen.—Present but sterile; multiple in number; color RHS 151B.

Seeds.—None.

Fruit.—None.

Anthers.—Indistinguishable from stamen; color RHS 151B.

Pollen.—Indistinguishable from anthers/stamen color RHS 151B.

Stigma.—Present, sterile; yellow in color.

Ovary.—Not distinctive.

Disease resistance: Some resistance to Botrytis, root Fungi seldomproblematic.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Impatiens plant named ‘Snow n' Ice’,substantially as illustrated and described herein.